Rodney's early 'arrow' sparks Angels' comeback

Pujols, Trout mimic Mariners closer's signature routine after he performs it in eighth

By Matthew DeFranks / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Fernando Rodney must have run out of arrows on Sunday.

After the Seattle closer got Kole Calhoun to fly out to deep center and end the eighth inning, Rodney reached back for one of his trademark imaginary arrows and shot it towards the Angels' dugout.

"That was for the fans, because they booed me," said Rodney, who pitched for the Angels from 2010-11 and is far from beloved in Anaheim. "It's part of the game."

The game was not over, however, and the Angels came back to beat Rodney and the Mariners, 6-5, in the ninth on Grant Green's single up the middle at Angel Stadium. Before Green's game-winner, however, the Angels responded to Rodney's display.

After Mike Trout drew a five-pitch walk, Albert Pujols stepped in against Seattle's All-Star closer. Pujols watched two pitches before jumping on a 1-1 Rodney fastball and dumping it into right field. Trout scored on the double to tie the game at 5.

While standing on second base, Pujols fired an arrow towards the Angels dugout. Trout sent one back.

"Rodney's Rodney," Trout said. "He's out there competing. We're out there competing against him."

Rodney said he was unaware that Pujols and Trout mimicked his celebration.

"I didn't see that," Rodney said. "I'll have to check the film. They must've got emotional. ... I'm friends with everybody. Mike Scioscia is a great manager and a good person."

Green, whose single gave the Angels their second walk-off win in three days, said Rodney's reaction was poorly timed.

"He woke up our dugout," Green said. "At the time, we were hitting well in the game but we didn't really have that key hit. He did it at the wrong time with Trout, Pujols and Josh [Hamilton] coming up."

Matthew DeFranks is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.